REVIEW - "The Great Willy Mammoth"  Bill Durst

Question: What is larger than life bearded and prowls the swamp wailing the blues? Answer: The Great Willy Mammoth. Which coincidently, is the name of the latest CD from the incomparable Bill Durst. To say that this recording has been highly anticipated is not only cliché’, but a huge understatement. Every one who knows, enjoys, and comes out to see him has been waiting, and waiting for the release of his latest work. I am so happy to be able to say that “It’s here, it’s here”
Recorded at Big Room Studios in London, by Darren Morrison and mastered by Stephen Marsh, Hollywood, CA, this 10-song offering is Bill Durst at his best. It has every thing that every one loves about his playing and performance abilities and has a primal swamp blues feel to it that seems to claw its way right out of your speakers. Bill wrote all of the songs along with his long time friend and Thundermug band mate Joe DeAngelis. They also included some very fine talent to help round out the band; Tom Dobrentey and Corey Thompson share the drumming duties, Jeff “Stan” Fountain on bass, and Rob Willmott on harp.
This disc shows the diversity of Bill’s playing and writing skills switching from electric, slide, acoustic guitars, and mandolin for instruments and a variety of music styles from rock, blues, danceable, and ballads, yes I said ballads. The title track, "The Great Willy Mammoth", is exactly like its namesake, guttural, proud, primitive, stomping and wailing with scorching slide work and great lyrics, sort of an audio-biography of the beast. The third track is a very beautiful song appropriately called, "Beautiful", I would not be surprised to hear this song get some radio airplay. "Café on the Gaspe" makes you want to get up and dance, "Radio – Soul Survivor" makes you want to get into your car and put your foot down. The final song on this disc “All The Blues In The World” is exactly that, every blues song you’ve heard, but of course it’s done, ala Bill.
Notably on this CD are also some very nice photography and artwork on the jacket by our GLBS Beer Wench, Rosanne Kelly. Personally, I love this CD, every one who has heard it, loves it, since I got my copy still warm from pressing, I have played it for any guest that comes over, and they want one, I tell people that his new CD is out, and they want one, even unheard, why? Because it’s Bill Durst.
More information about the CD and where you can catch him can be found on Bill’s web site. www.billdurst.com
Paul Breau, Great Lakes Blues Society, London

REVIEW - Can a Twenty-Something DJ Leave a Town a Legacy?

Thursday June 4 was a very special night at The Bruce Bar and Grill. The normally scheduled “Open Mic Night” hosted by Rob McLeod of The Coast FM took on a poignancy all of its own. The evening had a definite air of “good things coming to an end” and the talented musicians that took to the stage that night made the whole event very special. Obviously we would expect a certain sadness as the night did honour Katie MacDonald who has served as the Treasurer for Bruce County Blues this last year but is returning to her home in Nova Scotia. Katie’s husband, Sandy, is the very talented harp player in the Mike Macdonald Blues Band and will still be in the area as long as there’s work at the Bruce. Katie was accompanied Thursday night by a very close friend from Nova Scotia who travelled here to drive back east with Katie. Barb King surprised us all by bringing in her sax and before the night was over one of the many treats for the packed room was the addition of her great sax playing with many of the blues tunes. So while there’s an understandable lament to have our good friend and fellow blues traveler Katie leaving Bruce County, we all made certain that Thursday night was a great celebration and Bruce- style send off! These Open Mic Nights rarely lack talented players and fortunately word must have gotten out that we really wanted to party. Raylene Rebryna, Al Meloche, Brian Tovey helped kick start the night followed by a young Canadian soldier who recently returned from Afganastan. I’m sorry I missed his name but he had a roomful of fans as he capably covered some rock favourites. Other players included Barry Fairburn who travelled down from Lions Head, playing some awesome slide guitar on his dobra. He was accompanied by another good player who hails from Walkerton and again I apologize for missing his name too (I didn’t really plan on writing this and would have chased down the names of these new players but the truth is I, like everyone else in The Bruce, just got so caught up in the fantastic music, I wasn’t thinking of anything else!). The night really stepped up a notch when young Mike MacDonald brought his blues band to the stage and after a few tunes, invited Robert “Feet” MacLeod of Breakwater Blues to take over the vocals. ‘Feet” MacLeod needs no introduction to area blues fans but I must admit, as often as I’ve enjoyed Breakwater Blues Band, I really believe Feet gave us something extra playing with Mike, Sandy, Rob and Peter of the MacDoanald Blues Band. Ronnie Yourth, long time Breakwater guitar player,  jumped in as well and the whole blues jam took off to another dimension when Katie, on tambourine and Barb on sax, and Barry Swatasky on harp joined the expanded band on stage. Area blues fan Keith Tilley covered some blues and country ballads for us and as much as we all enthusiastically applauded his performance, the wind was taken from our sails when Keith announced that he too may be leaving the area as he was leaving the Bruce Power plant. Originally from Newfoundland, Keith has been a faithful attendee at all our shows and if he does leave Kincardine, his absence will definitely be noticed. It was, without a doubt, one of the best musical experiences at The Bruce Bar and Grill and that’s saying a lot considering the talent that has been booked into that bar these last three years! I apologize to some of the other musicians who also performed so well Thursday night and whose names I can’t pass on (including Greg, the young guitar player who brought out Pam Wambolt, the talented photographer who provided us with these photos). As I said above, and those who know me well understand I’m sure, I really enjoy great musicians and when the opportunity presents itself like it did Thursday night, I usually fail in all other tasks than being a rapt and enthusiastic audience (thank goodness Marilyn’s with me to take care of business!). And, of course, most of us in the room understand that Rob MacLeod, the driving force of these Open Mic Nights and incomparable host of Tuesday Night Blues on The Coast FM, will be leaving broadcasting and the Kincardine area this summer to attend the Faculty of education in Waterloo. While none of us doubt Rob has a great future in education, its also pretty hard to suppress our sense of loss in the local blues community as he has been so positive, so supportive in our efforts as Bruce County Blues. Rob’s commitments at The Bruce and The Coast wrap up in July and I believe his final Open Mic Night is July 9. That being the case we want to encourage all area blues fans to join Bruce County Blues at these remaining Open Mic Nights and experience the great musical entertainment that will be remembered as Rob’s legacy to our community. All photos by Pam Wambolt, much appreciated! Click on image to enlarge.

REVIEW - Blues in the Schools with Rick Fines and Suzie Vinnick, April 16, 17 2009

Bruce County Blues is committed to bring professional blues musicians to area schools to teach the students about the blues and to provide a rich learning experience with live music. This year our featured artists were Rick Fines and Suzie Vinnick who performed for the students of Port Elgin-Saugeen Central, St. Joseph's and Northport School (all in Port Elgin) and Huron Heights, St. Anthony`s and KTTPS (all in Kincardine). As well as entertaining and teaching 1500 students over these two days, Rick  and Suzie also performed at the Kincardine Centre for the Arts in the evening of April 17 which was a fundraiser for the Kincardine Theatre Guild.

``Rick Fines has such an ability to cast his spirit like a net and capture the hearts of the audience.  He sings with such expression and passion - I was totally captivated and inspired.  I was positively weeping in the Carol Shields song - just a simple song sung with serious intent.  I loved it! I love the way Suzie handles that guitar of hers - leaving steps for other girls to follow in and singing with all of her heart.  It was a wonderful show...``   - Raylene

``Excellent night! I've heard Rick & Suzie before at the music fest. enjoyed them then, enjoyed them last night, both entertaining and educational.
As a member of KTG evenings like this is what I would like to see for the theatre when we are doing our season, even once a month....``   - Andy

REVIEW - The International Blues Challenge,  Memphis, TN

The International Blues Challenge is hosted by The Blues Foundation in Memphis, TN at the end of January, early February each year. This year was the 25th IBC ran from February 4th- 7th, 2009. The world's largest gathering of blues acts represents an international search by The Blues Foundation and its affiliated organizations for the blues band and blues solo/duo most deserving of taking their act to the international stage. One hundred bands and 60 solo/duo acts competed, coming from all over the United States, Canada and a half dozen other countries. (A highly entertaining blues band from Poland made it to the finals this year!). Musicians and fans fill 16 blues venues up and down historical Beale Street beginning at 5:00pm for the semi-finals on Thursday and Friday, with one winner emerging from each club to advance to the finals held at the beautiful Orpheum Theatre on Saturday. Bands compete in 10 of the clubs while solo/duo acts compete in the other 6. In addition, for the first time ever, the event included a Youth Showcase and an International Showcase on Friday afternoon. As well, private record labels and booking agencies host showcases on Thursday and Friday afternoons prior the start of competition. It all adds up to a lot of great blues music up and down a three bock stretch that is cordon off just for pedestrians. And a good thing to as the whole area is completely licensed meaning you can carry your drinks from performance to performance.
Marilyn, Mackenzie and I went again this year for our second time and hope to make it an annual trek. Weather at this time of the year in Memphis isn’t Mexican hot but it does get balmy enough that both years we were moving around without jackets during the day. And if you’re traveling all the way to Memphis, you should stretch your trip to travel a bit further south into the Mississippi Delta, birthplace of the blues. As we did last year, we spent a couple of days in Clarksdale at the Hopson Plantation, an experience in itself. Clarksdale of course is considered ground zero for the blues, (hence the name of hometown boy Morgan Freeman’s juke joint), The Delta Blues Museum, artist Stan Street and his Hambone Gallery and a great starting point for the Mississippi Blues Trail.
The Blues Trail consists of over 120 interpretive plaques that dot the highways throughout Mississippi though the greatest concentration is of course in the Delta region where so many blues greats started as sharecroppers on cotton plantations. Pinetop Perkins, for example, worked a tractor at The Hopson Plantation where we stayed and we visited Stovall ‘s Plantation (Muddy Water’s birthplace), Indianola (B.B.King’s Museum), Tupelo, Parchman Farms, Tunica, Dockery Plantation and the gravesite of Robert Johnson at Little Zion Church on the edge of Greenwood.
Back in Memphis there were just so many great acts we wanted to see it’s really impossible. Of course we were there to support our Canadian acts, Steve Strongman, Keith Hallett, The Johnny Max Band, Tim Woodcock and Monkey Junk (who ended up in 3d place overall!). But also you start to hear the buzz of other acts and people freely recommend bands that you just have to see before it’s all over. This means you begin hopping up and down Beale Street, at times even splitting up. It’s a buffet table of great blues music that lasts for 4 days! This is not an amateur contest either. While many acts may be starting out in the careers, just as many are seasoned pros that have been playing regional blues circuits for years. Every act represents the very best from their region so we were never disappointed seeing someone for our first time and were introduced to a lot of new talent.
A trip we’d highly recommend to every blues fan.

REVIEW - The Erin McCallum Band, The Queen's Bush, Hanover, November 15, 2008

"Why do kamikaze pilots wear helmets?". I faced this challenging question a couple times the other night on the wall of the men's room at The Queen's Bush in Hanover. But it wasn't this puzzle that had the greatest impression on me, it was the talented young blues artist performing in the main room. This was our first opportunity to hear Erin McCallum and her band (listed on the board as Roadtrip but simply introduced as The Erin McCallum Band) and we had to make the hour trek over to Hanover in one of our first winter blasts up here this year. Yet, the three hours spent in the comfortable Queen's Bush and the incredible talents on stage were most rewarding!

First we want to acknowledge this venue that is bravely scheduling weekly live entertainment. With an open kitchen, clean and attractive decor and a most friendly wait staff, we compliment The Queen's Bush and expect to return soon.

But to Erin. We were given a heads up about her by local radio personality Mike Anderson of Bluewater Radio  who interviewed her a few weeks back. We were dimly aware of her recent appearance at The Waterfront Festival last summer and The Beaches International Jazz Festival the year before but it was mostly Mike's recommendation that drove us inland. That and the fact that we really wanted to hear a lady sing the blues!

Erin didn't disappoint. She gave us a solid mix of swinging blues, (opening with Flip, Flop and Fly) and some of her originals that make up her second CD Feel This being released this month. Her lively composition Two Steps Forward came early on her playlist and it's the opening track of the CD. She is backed by a strong rhythm section of Joe Pace on drums and Ronald Lombard on bass. Her lead guitarist on this night, and on the CD that we picked up, is Trevor Mackenzie and he is, simply put, incredible! While we enjoy every one of the songs she sang (and offers up on the 10 track, all originals CD Feel This), we have to admit those ballads with Trevor's piercing guitar solos made us stand up for more. The title track Feel This, Through My Soul, Justified and Home are all examples from the CD you'll want to hear.

Erin's talents have earned the band an Ontario Independent Music Award "Best Blues Band" nomination in 2008 for her first CD "5 am Blues" and there's likely more industry recognition ahead for her.

Erin and her bandmates come from Owen Sound, Collingwood and other points east of here but based on this introduction to her we're hoping (and planning) to bring her west to the coast and share her with the blues fans of Bruce County.

(click on to enlarge)

"What a Great Show……I am still in shock. Great job and thanks. BCB organized an amazing and successful show." - David & Donna Whittaker

"We had a blast at the show. Keep up the good work. I will become a new member.....just a Bruce County boy living in Grey!!!! Enjoy the shots." - Bill Black
 

"It's pretty hard to come back to the 'business world' when the music's still flyin' in your head..... but here we are, back to reality. Thanks again for having us on Saturday to open for Scott Holt. I was a BLAST !!" - Steve Cuneo, Riverside Blues Band

Blues fans in Bruce County and places further away had a rare opportunity to see and hear one of the great blues guitarists on the road today in a much smaller venue than would normally be the case. The Scott Holt Band played to a packed house (about 250 people) at the Sutton Park Inn, a much more intimate club than his usual festival stage. While many in the house may have been seeing Scott for the first time, just as many were fans who had likely seen the band at blues festivals and in some cases even as long ago as the early 90's when Scott toured with Buddy Guy.

The influence of Buddy Guy, who Scott traveled with for 10 years is readily event in his stage performance. Scott certainly plays guitar with the same virtuosity as Guy and plays it just as loud. He also is very respectful of his fans and if the house is energized by his playing, then he'll keep the energy up. Fans at the Sutton were treated to two full 90 minute sets that the band later admitted had no set playlist but rather just played off of the enthusiasm of the house. What a professional! (and a challenge for his rhythm section Richard Sanders on bass and Marshall Weaver on drums as you never know where Scott's taking you next).

Scott is  a student of Buddy Guy and he honours his mentor with a recent CD, "A Tribute to Buddy Guy, From Lettsworth to Legend" which fortunately for his fans he brought to Kincardine. Many of the songs we heard came from this CD as well as Scott's other recordings. But as good as his CD's are, nothing beats seeing this tight band live. Just like his t-shirts proclaim, "Loud is Good!", The Scott Holt Band plays full volume. But, just as often as he'll rattle the rafters, Scott can bring the whole room deathly quiet, soft and gentle with lyrical notes and beautiful ballads. It's a roller coaster evening that completely exhausts both the band and the fans by the inevitable end of the night!

The Scott Holt Band are real "Road Warriors" playing over 250 gigs a year. This obviously means they are touring constantly, pushing their current van over 300 000 miles already. Yet, uncharacteristically, with a three day gap before they were scheduled to play in Chicago at Buddy Guys "Legends" they decided to rest and relax in Kincardine for a few days following Saturday night's show. Scott was able to sit in with Rob MacLeod at The Coast FM Monday morning for an interview coming up on "The Tuesday Night Blues Show " and the boys toured some of the local tourist sites including a few drinks at The Bruce where Tracy provided her usual warm hospitality. Their southern charm (Scott from Tennessee, Richard from Texas, Marshall from Mississippi) was always evident and they were a pleasure to host. They were certainly complimentary of our town and the people they met.

With talent like theirs and such a strong fan base we can only hope that the experience was so positive, we'll be able to bring the boys back to Bruce County again!

REVIEW - Steve Strongman, The Lounge, London, May 18, 2008

The blues, as a music genre, is always evolving. Maybe that’s why we can claim “The Blues will Never Die!” What was first heard acoustically in the Mississippi Delta over 100 years ago before it migrated to northern cities like Chicago and became amplified, then made it’s way to Britain to be interpreted by young white kids and sent back to us as an invasion is now being reinterpreted by our own young musicians.
Last night we got a chance to see and hear one of southern Ontario’s hottest young bluesmen, Steve Strongman at London’s intimate The Lounge, playing the blues as he hears it. Strongman is at that point of his career where he’s still out there as many nights of the week playing his blues for any audience willing to pay the cover charge or pass a tip jar. We saw him in a room with about 75 other fans but remember, this kid has got credibility as a bluesman in that he opened earlier in April for Buddy Guy at Hamilton Place. Next month he’ll be playing on festival stages at The Waterfront Bluesfest and the Orangeville Jazz and Blues Festival. Such is the career for these up and coming bluesmen.
Raised in Kitchener but now living in Hamilton, Strongman is an extremely talented guitar player and will throw in some great blues harp when the mood/song calls for it. Many of the tunes we got introduced to were from his 2007 “Honey” CD. All but two tracks are originals and Steve’s songwriting talents are very evident, especially on my personal favourites Soul Searching, River, Silhouette and the complex but beautifully structured The Birthday Song. And his cover of Mel Brown’s How Blue Can You Get which actually features his mentor from the Kitchener days was a treat as well.
This is a young artist that comes with a full package … he can sing, he can play, he can write and most of all, he wants to entertain you. While his CD is a great introduction to this boy’s skills, it’s his live performance that’ll have you talking about him to everyone you meet. I can always remember the first performance of all my favourite artists, the ones that I follow and try to see again and again but my introduction to Steve Strongman last night was an all time “best first performance!” (Steve was nominated Best New Artist at the 2007 Maple Blues Awards). We’re hoping that we can get him up this way before too long, before we can’t afford him because this is a talent that is destined for bigger things in his near future.

REVIEW - Rita Chiarelli, Jubilee Hall, Walkerton, November 16, 2007

I have a confession to make. I had an intimate evening with Rita Chiarelli on Friday night. Oh, there may have been another 150 or so people with us at the time but it was still an intimate evening between Rita and me. I know because she was looking right at me. She told me many personal stories like about ex-lovers, her frustrations with the record industry, growing up in Hamilton, living in Thunder Bay and an incredibly moving account of her mother’s passing. And she kept asking me for permission to sing certain songs. And she repeatedly asked if I was okay. Yep, it was just me and this awesome talent for two and half hours!

Fortunately this very intimate performance was in one of the premier venues in this area, Walkerton’s Jubilee Hall and we have to thank Mary Robinson Ramsey and her volunteers for giving the blues fans in the region another fantastic evening with a national artist. This historical gem has perfect acoustics, excellent sightlines and comfortable seating throughout the auditorium. Staff is accommodating and pleasant. The whole package is reasonably priced and the Walkerton community is to be congratulated for all its efforts to preserve this facility.

Rita was accompanied by Pappa John King who also plays in the Memphis Brothers, backing Danny Brooks. John played up here in Kincardine last June with Danny Brooks and then more recently with him in London so we’ve had a couple of other opportunities to see him in the last few months. He is a gifted musician in his own right and one of my favourite slide guitar players.

Listening and watching Rita perform, backed by Pappa John King, drew me to naturally think of Danny Brooks. Rita, like Danny, sings with a growl, a passion, an intensity and with such physical expression you know it’s personal and with commitment. Her writing is just as moving as the lyrics in Danny’s songs but stripped of his hope and faith. Rita will freely admit she’s depressing but she’s okay with that and jokes that we’re not going to hear many happy songs tonight.

Much of her playlist came from her "Breakfast at Midnight" CD, a compilation of originals that showcases her writing talents. My favourite was the achingly poignant "I Can Change for You" with its desperation, but then there was the more up tempo "Horse of a Different Colour" and a slower version of "Never Been Loved Before" which her mother apparently decided was Italian. We got to hear her beautiful ballads "Since I’ve Had You on My Mind" and "Last Train" with an emphatic and foot stompin’ version of "Loving You (Is Killing Me)".

The night also included some new tunes that haven’t been recorded but she wanted to try out (or in the case of those tracks taped last week with the Thunder Bay Symphony Orchestra, recorded but not released). And we also got to listen to her covers of such classics as Dylan’s "Highway 61" and other blues hits as "Driving Wheel", "Nobody Knows" and then in her encore, a rousing version of Kristofferson’s "Me and Bobby Magee", done Joplin style.

Rita was introduced as an artist that combines Janis Joplin, Bonnie Raitt and Melissa Etheridge and I can agree with that. I heard all three great singers at times throughout Rita’s performance during the night but she is more than anything an original Canadian blues singer. If I was going to draw any comparisons I still kept thinking Danny Brooks the most. Media refer to her as "The Goddess" of Canadian blues but I’m not as comfortable with that. The term "Goddess" sounds too refined and with Rita it’s the rawness of her singing that stands out. She is down and dirty blues, invoking smoke- filled, whiskey smelling, juke joints. A friend of mine, Rowan Poots out of London, booked Rita into his blues bar, The Other Side, back in the 80’s and recalls Rita belting out the blues standing on top of the bar! That’s not how a goddess behaves but boy I wish I was there that night, that’s how I would want to see Rita play!

Again, my appreciation to the good people over at the Jubilee Hall for giving us this opportunity to hear the blues from a lady who I believe, when listening to her lyrics, has lived the blues. Now I gotta check her website to see how far we need to travel to hear her again. Hopefully she was serious when she told us she’s like some land around Bruce County to settle down …. how awesome would that be!

Bruce Bar and Grill, November 10, 2007

"What an amazing evening at the Bruce Inn with Jerome Godboo and his band and his gal! What an amazing entertainer! He really puts the sexy in the blues with his powerful harp playing, singing and expressive moves and dancing! I was totally enjoying the glory of it all!
The audience was fantastic and showed tons of excellent appreciation. I believe artists really pull it up from inside with that kind of appreciation.
It was lovely to see Jerome dance and play to his gal Jane Hayes. He said touching things that brought us all into the wonder of what they have together. It made the evening feel romantic.

Excellent evening! I count it a serious credit to have people in my local area that work diligently to bring such top notch players to our community !! "

--Raylene

REVIEW - Anthony Gomes, Fireside Cafe, September 17,  2007

We usually see Anthony Gomes on festival stages like Ottawa Bluesfest last summer or large stages at big city venues so seeing him in the smaller, intimate surroundings of The Fireside Cafe is truly unique. It's as if he's playing at a house party and hosts, BCB members David and Linda Phillips, (with their young staff), truly go out of their way to make everyone feel comfortable. This is the 6th year The Fireside Cafe has hosted an evening with Gomes and you will not want to miss any future visits to Wingham because you'll never get any closer to this electrifying performer.

Anthony had more than a few surprises for us in the evening. Anthony has had a couple of band changes since we saw him at the London Bluesfest in July. Biscuit Miller, his long time bass player and crowd favourite, has left the band with David Karns stepping up to provide the pivotal bass line to Anthony's songs. This performance also introduced us to Peter Lang, his new drummer. Todd "Church" Harmic, one time keyboardist for another high energy performer, Tinsley Ellis, continues to pound piano and organ for Gomes. With a new bass player and drummer you'd expect a few hiccups in the evening but this crew had obviously worked out all the kinks in practice and the performance was as tight as the surroundings.

Yet there was a subtle difference to the show. Anthony kicked open the night (literally!) with "Are You Ready", complete with blistering guitar licks, stage strutting and raw vocals you come to expect. But it wasn't too long before he also showed us a gentler, almost jazz infused side to the evening, especially accentuated with a long solo from Harmic on "Stand Up". He really brought out his poetic side on plaintive ballads like "When the Right Woman Does You Wrong" but, just when you might drift off in introspective thoughts,  he kicked you outta your chair with a hard-driving tune like "Music is the Medicine" which closed out the opening 75 minute set.

After a short break Anthony introduced us to another beautiful ballad "Long Way Home" which most wouldn't recognize unless they had the limited edition CD of the same name. But, like I said above, this was immediately followed up with the powerful "Testify", again bringing the crowd to their feet. The whole second set, like the first, had a great mix of familiar funky soul tunes like "Do What You Do" "Blinddog" and "Unity", or his searing, protest song "War on War" with gentler, and in some cases, entirely new southern rock ballads like "I'm Loosing You". Now based out of Nashville and with the recent band change ups, I'm wondering if, in fact, Anthony might be drifting into a more southern blues-rock flow (some tunes echoing Marshall Tucker almost) but we'll have to wait for his new CD to be sure.

David and Linda have to be thanked for giving us these opportunities to hear such an incredible performer in such an up close intimate and comfortable surrounding. And did I mention the meal? Yes, The Fireside Cafe also offers a 5 star menu and makes the drive over to Wingham worthwhile in itself. Keep in touch with these BCB members and don't miss their next booking at their venue.

REVIEW - Danny Brooks and The Memphis Brothers, Saturday, June 9, 2007

Saturday night, June 9^th and the blues fans at the Bruce Bar and Grill, Kincardine, were treated to one of the best live shows of the year. Danny Brooks poured out his energy and talent with vocals, guitar & harmonica with a passion that had the crown clapping, whistling, and cheering wildly from the first song.

The first time I saw Danny was in an Orangeville restaurant where he was accompanied by friend Dean McTaggert, a talented entertainer & songwriter for Amanda Marshall. That show was excellent. He is often accompanied as a duo by Dennis Pinhorn on Bass or a gospel group The Rockin’ Revelators.                                                

Danny is a great bluesmen, he is authentic, and tells the truth of his experience in a personal, intense, raspy, powerful, singing voice that he knows how to use. He sang classic gospel and many he wrote such as “You’ll Find A Way”…. “Sometimes you have to hit the wall before you see the light of day” ... and “Down On My Knees” with the conviction he once used to fight his way clear of a self-confessed 20 year fog of addictions. “I like to sing and shout when I’m happy”, and that happy feeling is infectious, whatever your faith or lack thereof. That happy feeling is what people took home with them from the Bruce Bar & Grill, and that is a great gift.

He put together a group of musicians for this show that were so professional you would swear they had played together forever, although it was the first time the drummer had been with them:

Danny Brooks with vocals, guitar, and harmonica led the show, and he set a sound level that was just perfect for the room, putting passion in every note, phrase and movement.

Dennis Pinhorn played bass, and sang, performing like he just loved being there.

Michael Sloski on drums put the rhythm where it belonged without the amplification and crashing overwhelming noise we usually get from many unprofessional drummers.

Papa John King’s electric guitar sound varied from a rock-blues, to honky tonk twang and even simulated a violin at times.

Ed Zankowski’s tenor sax brought smiles to many faces.

I can usually find something about an entertainer or band that interferes with my enjoyment, but not this night, … this group was right on top of their game …..awesome!

I can see why live CD’s are popular, but you can never capture the smiles flashing from person to person, the dance moves, the spontaneity of it all, or the feeling in the room. “Those boys could play the blues, it ‘don’t’ get better than that”. 

Ted Smith

REVIEW - Garrett Mason, Bruce Bar and Grill, Friday April 13, 2007

There was nothing unlucky for the 150 blues fans who joined us at the Bruce on Friday 13th to hear the young Juno Award winning blues guitarist from the East Coast, Garrett Mason. This boy was hot! and enthusiastically received by everyone, especially those who wanted to dance! One of our guests passed on this review: "What a great guitarist! The best artist so far as voted by the "Afters" gang....Garrett is related to the Armstrongs in Ripley Onatrio! Never know where family will show up! A fantastic jump up and dance gig! Lots of fun...we hope he comes back for the Kincardine Reunion if not before!! We're hoping the opportunity to bring Garrett back comes up as well.... maybe as early as this fall!

REVIEW: On Wednesday, March 7, we provided the elementary school children of St. Anthony’s, KTTS and Huron Heights with a live performance of the Chris Murphy Blues Band featuring Denise Pelley. Performing with Chris was Maple Blues Award winner Ted Leonard, Ted Peacock, Kim Ladd and Dean Harrison. Chris and his Blues in the Schools programme teaches the students the roots of blues music, its structure and form and its impact on the music of today. It’s a highly interactive, 60 minute concert that had the students singing and dancing. Students and teachers were enthusiastic at both the morning and afternoon concerts. On Wednesday evening Chris and the band performed for the parents, teachers and other guests at the Bruce Bar and Grill and were equally well received!

Our Blues in the Schools programme is an important educational contribution to our community and we really appreciate the financial support of area businesses that helped make this possible. We acknowledge the incredible support and promotion from our community radio station, The Coast FM as well as the following individuals and businesses: Frank Pearce Skate Sharpening,  Mary Rose and Danny Graham, Mary Rose Graham Day Spa, Diva Graphics, Lorenzo Casey, Baxter’s Row Fashions, Jerome Flowers and Gifts, Bruce Bar and Grill, The Hair Connection